(VOVWORLD) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Israel on Tuesday to push for a Middle East ceasefire since Israel killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar last week.
 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) arrives in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 22, 2024. (REUTERS) |
Diplomatic efforts have so far failed to end the year-long conflict in the Palestinian territory Gaza and the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
Washington hopes the death of Sinwar will provide a new opportunity for peace. Sinwar is Israel's most wanted man, blamed for triggering the year of warfare by planning the deadly attacks on October 7 last year on Israeli territory. But Israel has so far shown no sign of relenting in its military campaigns against both Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Blinken was due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and other officials at the start of a week-long trip that will also take him to Jordan and Qatar.
US officials say he is focusing on plans for rebuilding and governing Gaza after the conflict, necessary for reaching a ceasefire there.